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Rail News Home Passenger Rail

4/9/2015



Rail News: Passenger Rail

MTA seeks to include small business owners in $32 billion capital program


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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) yesterday announced two daylong information sessions for small business owners on Long Island, N.Y., interested in obtaining contracts with the agency.

The sessions, scheduled to take place April 21 and May 13, are part of MTA's efforts to recruit and train small business owners to bid on contracts for the agency's 2015-19 capital program. MTA is especially seeking out minority- and women-owned businesses, as well as those certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises by the agency.

MTA's $32 billion capital program will involve significant investments in new subway cars, Staten Island Railway cars, commuter cars, track improvements, station structures and several other projects. MTA also has plans to renew and enhance its seven bridges and two tunnels, in addition to installing positive train control on commuter railroads and communications-based train control on subways as part of the program.

"The MTA capital program is the single most important way to ensure we can keep the New York metropolitan region moving," MTA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Thomas Prendergast said in a statement. "Small firms on Long Island have every right to fight for a piece of that pie."

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) President Patrick Nowakowski also urged small business owners on Long Island to consider doing business with the commuter railroad.

"Looking ahead, the LIRR has plenty of ideas about the kinds of improvements that need to be made to ensure that the Railroad provides high-quality transportation for our customers and continue to fulfill its role as Long Island’s economic lifeline," Nowakowski said.

MTA in June 2010 first established its Small Business Mentoring Program for small construction industry contractors, and it has awarded $85 million in construction contracts to program participants since then.